Hoop Skirt

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

sock reference

I have a pattern and yarn picked out for my next pair of socks. It may change, so I'm keeping it secret for now, but I want to use the magic cast on by Judy. So this is really just for my own reference.

I'll probably start the socks sometime in July, maybe August. Unless I get really bored at home later this week. I'm taking a short vacation next week and serrano is going to my vacation knitting. It's still small enough that it can come with me. I just finished the the bottom hem of the body. I'll switch it onto bigger needles tonight and then will bring it with me to the midwest. Hopefully I will get a few inches done on it. Maybe all the way to the waist shaping?

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Done done done!

The sockapalooza socks are finally done. After ripping them both back to above the heel two weeks ago, they are finally completed. Don't worry I'll wash them before sending in August. I really enjoyed this pattern and yarn together. It was my first time using Jitterbug and I already want to buy some more.

Now I think I'll take a little sock breather. I do have a new sock picked out and ready to start. But I'm plugging away on Serrano so maybe I can wear it at my friend's wedding in September, the yarn matches my bridesmaid dress pretty well.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

faves.....

After yesterday's preachy post I thought I should lighten it up and post about something fun, or two fun things.

I recently joined netflix and am loving it so far. It is wonderful going home knowing there is a movie for me to watch and the selection is much better than any video store.

My most favorite new toy is ravelry.com It is super fun and useful and has motivated me to do even more knitting. It is also really useful. I never keep track of my projects and projects I want to do next. I can now track each project, so if I forget what needle, what size or what yarn I'm using it's on the internet. And when I see projects I like I can add them to my queue for later. If I'm not sure if I like a pattern from the picture with it I can search on ravelry to see other people's and see what yarns they used. If you have trouble with something there are people to ask right there. It is just such a great idea.

Monday, June 11, 2007

let's stop king coal

I got the below email today from moveon.org. I like to keep this very unpolitical, but this an issue near and dear to my heart. The thought of more coal being mined and strip-mined sickens me. We do not need more reasons to mine coal, we need to stop this harmful practice.

Dear MoveOn member,The idea of turning coal into liquid to fill our gas tanks should just be a bad joke. But because the coal industry pours millions into lobbying Congress every year, this joke could turn into a real nightmare.1The senate is about to vote on a big bill dealing with energy and the climate crisis. Massive subsidies for coal were defeated in committee. But we're not out of the woods yet, since one of the coal-friendly senators could sneak them back in again as an amendment just before the final vote.Can you call your senators today to tell them to vote against liquid coal if it's added to the bill at the last minute?Senator Hillary ClintonPhone: 202-224-4451Senator Charles SchumerPhone: 202-224-6542Then, please report your calls by clicking here:http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_2.FSNY_1&cp_id=533&id=10508-6389543-oS.cVk&t=2Liquid coal is a giant step backward in our fight against global warming—it produces twice as many greenhouse gases as conventional gasoline. Proposals to capture that pollution before it adds to global warming are still a pipe dream.2We have to reduce the greenhouse gases already in our air to stave off the worst effects of climate change—disease, drought, rising seas—so you'd think a giant program to make liquid coal a cornerstone of our economy would be too outrageous to consider. But continued pressure from the coal industry means key legislators introduce it over and over again.Even the Roanoke Times, in the heart of coal country, condemned government promotion of liquid coal:Coal-to-liquid technology is expensive, harmful to the environment and inefficient. The federal government should take no part in subsidizing it...Liquefying coal is not the answer to either energy independence or a cleaner environment.3Some senators are standing strong against this false promise—Jon Tester from coal-rich Montana has said there should be no liquid coal without proven ways to capture the greenhouse gases.4But others are risking our future with dirty energy bills instead of supporting clean and affordable alternatives—like solar and wind.Can you call your Senators today and tell them to stand strong and stop coal from ruining our chances to combat the climate crisis?Senator Hillary ClintonPhone: 202-224-4451Senator Charles SchumerPhone: 202-224-6542Then, please report your calls by clicking here:http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSNY_2.FSNY_1&cp_id=533&id=10508-6389543-oS.cVk&t=3When you call, you can say that coal is the wrong direction for this country and to please vote against any amendment that uses liquid coal.A strong position against coal in the senate is critical in our battle against the climate crisis.Thanks for all you do.–Ilyse, Joan, Carrie, Marika, and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team Monday, June 11th, 20071. "Lawmakers Push for Big Subsidies for Coal Process," New York Times, May 29, 2007http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/29/business/29coal.html2. "Wrong path toward energy independence," Denver Post, June 9, 2007http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_60882953. "Billion Dollar Boondoggle," Roanoke Times, June 5 2007 http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/1194774. "Tester: Offer incentives for carbon capture," Missoulian, June 2, 2007http://www.moveon.org/r?r=2654&id=10508-6389543-oS.cVk&t=4Support our member-driven organization: MoveOn.org Political Action is